New laws targeting online predators

Legislation introduced to federal parliament would make it illegal for adults to pretend to be teenagers online in order to meet with minors.

New legislation will make it illegal for adults to lie about their age online to meet with minors. (AAP)

New legislation making it illegal for adults to lie about their age online to meet with minors has been introduced to federal parliament.

The private senator's bill was introduced by the Nick Xenophon Team and independent Derryn Hinch in the Senate on Wednesday.

It seeks to make it an offence for anyone over 18 to lie about their age to a child under 16 to encourage a physical meeting or with the intent of committing a crime.